The training for establishing an efficient energy management system in local self-government units was held on June 13 and 14 in Belgrade, at the Hotel Park, in the organization of the Belgrade Open School and the RES Foundation. The training was attended by over 30 representatives from 18 cities and municipalities. The aim of the training was to support units of local self-government from Serbia in establishing an efficient energy management system as a basis for the development of the local community.

The participants had the opportunity to learn more about the benefits that energy management brings to the development of the local community, with practical and theoretical aspects of establishing and managing the system. The first day was opened by Mirjana Jovanovic from the Belgrade Open School and Aleksandar Macura from the RES Foundation. It was then followed by the presentation of the results and experiences from the city of Sabac as an example of good practice. Participants were addressed by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Sabac, Mr. Dusan Kostadinovic, as well as by the member of the City Council of the City of Sabac, Mr. Slavisa Kostadinovic, and Sabac Energy Manager, Mr. Slobodan Jerotic. During the presentation, all the speakers agreed that for the successful establishment of the energy management system a set of multiple factors is important, above all the political will of the decision-makers and the expertise and dedication of the employees working on local energy issues. As the biggest problem, representatives of Sabac listed the finances and the great work and perseverance necessary for providing funds for energy efficiency projects.

In the second block of lectures, Mr. Stevan Vujasinovic, a communications and PR expert from UNDP Serbia, addressed the participants and emphasized the importance of two-way communication about energy efficiency between local government, on the one hand, and users and citizens, on the other. In a later discussion with the participants of the training, it was concluded that it is necessary to create an environment for communication strategies with the energy efficiency policy high on the priority list of decision makers, but also of users and citizens, for the general benefit of all parties.

In the third and final part of the first day of the training, Mr. Miodrag Gluscevic from the Standing Conferences of Towns and Municipalities spoke about the programs that the SCTU implements in the field of energy efficiency. Afterward, Mr. Djordje Vukovic from the Public Investment Management Office presented participants with opportunities to finance energy efficiency projects that are available to local self-government units (SGU). In the dynamic discussion, it was concluded that the funds allocated for the SGUs are significant, but that the problem is often a lack of SGU capacity for the development and implementation of quality energy efficiency projects. Also, SGU representatives stressed that they often have short deadlines and unclear guidelines for advertising calls for the allocation of Office funds and that close communication between all parties would contribute to better utilization of available funds.

The second day of the training was dedicated to the technical aspects of the energy management system. Within three blocks, the energy managers of Vrbas, Mr. Nikola Vujovic and Mr. Zeljko Zecevic, and the energy manager of Sabac, Mr. Slobodan Jerotic, presented present-day energy managers with the method of communication with decision-makers, direct service users and citizens, using software as tools in monitoring and the local energy planning and energy audits methodology.

During both days, a quality discussion among the participants was developed which included the exchange of knowledge and experiences. The present energy managers pointed out that they need networking for the mutual exchange of resources and strengthening their profession’s position. Also, the importance of such gatherings was recognized where decision makers and energy managers can compare experiences and develop partnerships with colleagues from other SGUs. It was also stressed that it is necessary to improve the communication between government authorities at the national level with representatives of cities and municipalities about the needs, obstacles, and opportunities of local self-governments to fulfill the required obligations. Participants agreed that the examples of good practices existing in Serbia in terms of establishing an energy management system give hope and represent a roadmap for achieving progress in this public policy.

The training was organized within the Belgrade Open School project "Community Energy", which is supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation and aims to contribute to the decarbonization and democratic governance in Serbia through the establishment of an effective energy management system.

Author of the photo: Belgrade Open School